The board is made up of agribusiness and industry leaders and is responsible for advising the Australian and New Zealand arm of Rabobank on strategic agribusiness and agricultural issues.

Mr Vaile, who was deputy prime minister of Australia from 2005 to 2007, held several ministerial positions during his time in federal government, including Minister for Trade, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Minister for Transport and Regional Development.

Rabobank Australia & New Zealand chief executive Bruce Dick said Mr Vaile's extensive experience in international trade negotiations, policymaking and agricultural issues – along with his lifelong involvement in rural and regional Australia – made him a strong addition to the advisory board.

"Mark has played a pivotal role in agricultural and trade policymaking and negotiations at the highest level," Mr Dick said.

"The insights he brings from this – and from his career-long involvement campaigning for the interests of rural and regional Australia – will provide a very valuable contribution to our advisory board."

Other members of the Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Advisory Board are: Nick Burton Taylor – principal, Hillgrove Pastoral Company; Richard Haire – CEO, Queensland Cotton Holdings; Robert Hill Smith – proprietor and managing director, Yalumba Wine Company; Tom Keene – former managing director GrainCorp; Warwick McKibbin – professor and director of the Centre of Applied Macroeconomic Analysis, Australian National University; Doug Rathbone – managing director, Nufarm; Henry van der Heyden – chairman, Fonterra Cooperative Group; and John Watson – chairman, Incitec Pivot.